Hurlburt Field in Okaloosa County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Operation Assured Response

Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 17, 2016

1. Operation Assured Response Marker

Inscription. In April 1996, Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR) responded to a crisis in Liberia, where a civil war endangered Americans and other foreign nationals. The US deployed forces quickly to save lives, protect the American Embassy, and initiate a noncombatant evacuation operation. The only integrated force with its own airlift and strike force ready and available was SOCEUR. On 7 April 1996, Special Operations Forces (SOF) launched an MC-130H for Sierra Leone, the intermediate staging base for Operation Assured Response. Using MH-53J helicopters of the 20th SOS, SOCEUR sent SEALS and then Special Forces to provide security for the US Embassy and implement an orderly evacuation of Americans and third country nationals. AC-130Hs from the 16 SOS provided close air support, while MC-130s from the 7 and 8 SOS provided fixed-wing evacuation. At the close of the operation, SOF had evacuated 436 Americans and 1,677 foreign nationals.

Erected by the Hurlburt Field Memorial Air Park Council.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military • Notable Events • War, Cold. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1996.

Location. 30° 24.936′ N, 86° 42.032′ W. Marker is in Hurlburt Field, Florida

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, in Okaloosa County. It can be reached from Independence Road. Located at the Hurlburt Field Memorial Air Park and access to the base is restricted. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 315 Independence Road, Hurlburt Field FL 32544, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Panhandle.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Operation Uphold Democracy (here, next to this marker); Operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina (here, next to this marker); Operation Restore Hope (here, next to this marker); Operation Provide Comfort (here, next to this marker); Desert Shield and Desert Storm (here, next to this marker); Captain Hilliard A. Wilbanks (a few steps from this marker); O-1E Bird Dog (a few steps from this marker); The Forward Air Controller (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hurlburt Field.

Also see . . . Global Security article on Operation Assured Response. (Submitted on November 19, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Operation Assured Response Marker (located on the far right side) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 17, 2016

2. Operation Assured Response Marker (located on the far right side)

MC-130H (left) and a MH-53J (right). image. Click for full size.

Public Domain

3. MC-130H (left) and a MH-53J (right).

USAF Photos

Credits. This page was last revised on November 19, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 19, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,174 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 19, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.